Portulaca plant named &#39;yubi primrose&#39;

ABSTRACT

Portulaca ‘Yubi Primrose’ is a new variety of  Portulaca oleracea.  This plant has a vigorous, spreading plant growth which produces a pale yellow flower.

GENUS AND SPECIES

[0001]Potiulaca oleracea

VARIETY DENOMINATION

[0002] ‘Yubi Primrose’

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

[0003] ‘Yubi Primrose’ originated as a vegetative sport identified in1999 in a greenhouse in Salinas, Calif., USA. This sport was found inthe variety ‘Summer Joy Pink’. The sport possessed pale yellow flowers.Unique flower color was the selection criteria at this stage ofbreeding.

ORIGIN AND ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION

[0004] Plants were propagated from vegetative cuttings using a peatmoss-based mix. Cuttings formed roots in 7 to 10 days after stickingwithout the use of overhead mist. Rooted cuttings were transplanted intoand in 15 cm diameter plastic pots in a glass greenhouse located inSalinas, Calif. Pots contained a peat moss-based growing medium. Solublefertilizer containing 18% nitrogen, 8% phosphorus and 18% potassium wasapplied every fourth irrigation. The plants were typically watered twicea week. Pots were topdressed with a slow release feritlizer containing18% nitrogen, 18% phosphorus and 8% potassium. The average airtemperature was 24C.

[0005] After the initial propagation of the sport, five vegetative lineswere made from the original plant in fall of 1999. In spring and summerof 2000 these lines were evaluated for uniformity and ease ofpropagation. One line was selected in fall 2000 and designated ‘YubiPrimrose’. Uniformity of flower color and ease of propagation were theselection criteria. The following winter it was determined that thevariety produced pinkish yellow flowers under low, winter lightintensity. The variety has been observed for one more year and, otherthan the season color change, it has been determined that it is firmlyfixed and stable.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0006] The accompanying drawings serve by color photographic means toillustrate the new plan variety, ‘Yubi Primrose’. The colors arerepresented as true as possible using conventional photographicprocedures.

[0007]FIG. 1 is a close-up view of a ‘Yubi Primrose’ flower illustratingits color and shape.

[0008]FIG. 2 is a view of the entire plant.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW VARIETY

[0009] Color designations were made according to The Royal HorticulturalSociety Colour Chart published by The Royal Horticultural Society ofLondon, England.

[0010] Origin: USA.

[0011] Parentage: Female parent — ‘Summer Joy Pink’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No.12,277P2).

[0012] Classification:

[0013]Family.—Portulacaceae.

[0014]Genus.—Portulaca.

[0015]Species.—oleracea.

[0016]Commercial.—Portulaca/Purslane.

[0017] Plant:

[0018]Growth habit.—Prostrate.

[0019]Plant height.—23.0 cm.

[0020]Spread.—85 cm.

[0021]Life cycle.—Perennial.

[0022]Time to produce a rooted cutting.—2 weeks.

[0023]Time to bloom from propagation.—6-8 weeks.

[0024]Flowering season/requirements.—Flowers year round at temperaturesof 24°-35° C.; day neutral light requirements.

[0025]Temperature.—Will not tolerate temperatures below 7° C.

[0026] Stem:

[0027]Color.—RHS 144C (yellow-green).

[0028]Anthocyanin.—RHS 178B (green-red).

[0029]Pubescence.—Absent.

[0030]Stem description.—Round, slightly rough with lateral ridges.

[0031]Diameter.—5.0 mm.

[0032]Length of internode.—3.0-3.5 cm.

[0033] Leaf:

[0034]Apex.—Acute.

[0035]Base.—Rounded.

[0036]Arrangement.—Alternate.

[0037]Leaf color.—Upper surface RHS 137B (green); lower surface RHS 138A(green).

[0038]Anthocyanin.—RHS 178B (green-red).

[0039]Margin.—Entire.

[0040]Length (average).—2.5-3.0 cm.

[0041]Width (average).—1.2-1.5 cm.

[0042]Shape.—Oblong.

[0043]Thickness.—1.0 mm.

[0044]Texture.—Smooth.

[0045]Petiole color.—RHS N144D (yellow-green).

[0046]Petiole length.—2.0 mm.

[0047] Flower:

[0048]Calyx.—2 sepals; 1.0 cm×1.0 cm; free.

[0049]Corolla.—5 petals; free.

[0050]Flower diameter.—3.0-3.5 cm.

[0051]Bud color.—RHS 138B (green).

[0052]Bud shape.—Round and pointed at the top.

[0053]Bud surface.—Shiny.

[0054]Duration of flower life.—One day.

[0055]Flowering habit.—Indeterminate.

[0056]Placenta arrangement.—Central.

[0057]Inflorescence type.—Solitary, sessile.

[0058]Stamens.—Filament colorRHS 150C (yellow-green); anther color RHS25A (orange).

[0059]Stigma.—RHS 4B (yellow).

[0060]Style.—RHS 4B (yellow).

[0061]Petal size.—1.9-1.6 cm (l×w).

[0062]Petal color.—Upper surface RHS 4B (yellow) with RHS 60D(red-purple) surrounding the petal mid-vein; lower surface RHS 4B(yellow); base of petal absent.

[0063] Disease and insect resistance: No unusual susceptibility todiseases or insects have been observed.

[0064] Comparison with other known varieties ‘Yubi Primrose’ is adistinct variety of Portulaca plant owing to its pale yellow petalcolor. ‘Yubi Primrose’ is most similar to the variety ‘Summer JoyYellow’. ‘Yubi Primrose’ possesses slightly smaller flowers than ‘SummerJoy Yellow’ and where ‘Summer Joy Yellow’ has golden yellow flowers,‘Yubi Primrose’ possesses pale yellow flowers. Under low, winter lightconditions (Northern Hemisphere) the petals of ‘Yubi Primrose’ possess ared-purple blush around the mid-vein region.

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct Portulaca plant as shown and described herein. 